You may have noticed that multiplayer first-person shooter Strike Force has been getting better skins since its relaunch. As it turns out, we have the Koreans to thank for that. During the “Strike Day” event, Jin Jongmin, head of Blizzard Korea Studio Tell The Seoul team is not only committed to supporting games in South Korea, but also directly creating content. Her work includes character skins, collaborations and other visual effects, including a collaboration with K-pop band LE SSERFIM.
Blizzard Korea employs artists, designers, programmers, UI and UX experts, and developers who create and publish content. The team worked not only on the visual part but also on the development of game features and modes. Jonmin said the Korean studio worked closely with the developers in Irvine, USA, and was actually part of a single team for Strike Force.
Since its establishment in 2022, the studio has actively participated in the content production of “Strike”. During this time, its staff worked on various appearances and collaborations. At the event, examples on display included the mythical Genji skin as well as skins created in collaboration with music artists.
Kim Jong-min himself smiled and said, “We’re working really hard,” in response to the host’s question about whether the most famous new product of “Strike” is now made in South Korea.
When creating skins, the team tried to think about more than just how the character looked. Studio chiefs said it was important for developers to preserve the character of the hero, his story and the fantasy of the game that players should feel behind the character. So when collaborating, the team was looking for a concept that would connect the guest artists to the world of Strike Force, beyond just a transfer of familiar costumes.
The first cooperation with LE SSERAFIM in 2023 is a typical example. This marks the first collaboration between “The Fight” and a K-pop artist. Rather than simply turning the characters into band members, the developers came up with a story framework in which the characters themselves were fans of LE SSERFIM and went to concerts.
The look comes in blue and denim, inspired by the band’s stage attire. New additions include concert tickets, glow sticks and other fan items. During the second collaboration, the concept changed. The heroes themselves became street performers, performing in the area around Busan Station. The new look features brighter colors and elements of street fashion and hip-hop.
The Korean team’s work on LE SSERFIM continues. Chin Jonmin confirmed preparations for a third collaboration, but specific details have not yet been disclosed. However, the group’s logo can already be seen in the trailer for Busan Heroes Season 4. The developers note that if in the first collaboration the heroes were spectators, and in the second they became performers, then the next part of the story will show them in a new identity.
